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Smoking often gets the attention, but new research shows alcohol is one of leading causes of preventable cancer deaths in the U.S. A new study published in the April 2013 issue of the American Journal of Public Health shows that about 20,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. a year -- about 3.5 percent of all cancer-related deaths -- are caused by alcohol consumption.
"The relationship between alcohol and cancer is strong, but is not widely appreciated by the public and remains underemphasized even by physicians," senior author Dr. Timothy Naimi, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, said in a press release. "Alcohol is a big preventable cancer risk factor that has been hiding in plain sight."
The World Health Organization has labeled alcohol as the world's third largest risk factor for disease burden, saying it can cause neuropsychiatric disorders and other chronic diseases such as heart diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. It added that 30 percent of cancer deaths are caused by five behavioral and dietary factors, including high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use. Previous studies have shown that drinking alcohol can increase risk factors cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast, the study authors noted. Other worldwide statistics show that alcohol is a cause for about 4 percent of cancer deaths worldwide, but before this study, not that much research has focused on the U.S.
Originally posted by Guenter
reply to post by FriedBabelBroccoli
The government should just butt out of private enjoyments. Regulate everything? Are we in need of new prohibitions and 1st rate employment opportunities for the masses of the unemployed? After all the smugglers need drivers, ware-house workers, security, bouncers etc.
Originally posted by havok
Why don't they ban everything and dole out what they think is best for us?
Isn't that what this really is about? Ultimate control?
I honestly believe that telling someone they "aren't allowed to consume this" is absurd.
Especially coming from a group of people who can't even control a budget.
We all, as humans, have choices to make.
Usually we know when things are bad for us, or will harm us.
It's our own fault we abuse them, or "die by the drop" per say...
But we don't learn unless it's the hard way.
Why allow someone else to make decisions for us?
Why can't we just take care of ourselves...
Good grief, this is ridiculous.
Originally posted by antonia
How is this news? It's been common knowledge for years that excessive consumption can lead to liver cancer. My Uncle Alan died of it and he was an alcoholic.
This is a strange thing to even talk about. They tried banning booze once and that didn't work out so well did it? As for cancer sticks, they will not be banned. They are becoming socially unacceptable but they are too widely used to be banned. So really, we are just discussing something that will never happen.
Originally posted by FriedBabelBroccoli
Would you support equal demonization of alcohol users and cigarette smokers?
I posted this article mostly as satire on what I see as one of the next major issues to be brought forth by those with a utopian agendas.
What do you think the odds would be of laws being proposed to increase alcohol taxation rates?
smoking is the only way we can have the air quality of our ancestors,smokey caves. Since smoking in public places was banned in public places ,childhood asmah rates have gone down. People are smoking in the home more making their kids less likly to suffer attacks. Why are you so concerned about people enjoying themselves? Kill joy
Originally posted by antonia
Originally posted by FriedBabelBroccoli
Would you support equal demonization of alcohol users and cigarette smokers?
No, there is evidence booze actually does have health benefits in small amounts. Cigarettes have no redeeming value to them. In the case of addicts, addiction is addiction, i don't demonize either one. It's not a good thing, but those people suffer enough, they don't need my derision.
I posted this article mostly as satire on what I see as one of the next major issues to be brought forth by those with a utopian agendas.
Well, You are wrong. No one with sense is going to try to ban booze or cancer sticks. It's too expensive and it would never work.
What do you think the odds would be of laws being proposed to increase alcohol taxation rates?
Sin taxes go up whenever there is a revenue shortage, it has nothing to do with attempts to lower consumption in most states. It's just a way of generating revenue.
well there is some redeeming health benefits. One cig a day will make you cough and clean out your lungs. One cig wont kill you. Its not like a car crash or exhaust fumes.you wont live forever anyway.
Originally posted by antonia
reply to post by symptomoftheuniverse
I don't remember saying I was concerned with what they did. I said there was no redeeming health benefit to it. Honestly though, I couldn't understand most of what you said so I may be misinterpreting it.
Originally posted by antonia
reply to post by symptomoftheuniverse
Can you produce any data to back up your assertion? [/quot. No i cant im affraid. Your are just going to have to disbelive me.